Significant Documents from Black Latter-day Saint History

Keith A. Erekson, Library Director

21 May 2018

In conjunction with the First Presidency’s “Be One” commemorative event, the Church History Library displayed documents that depicted the rich history of black Latter-day Saints. Learn more about these important documents in this post.

June 2018 marks 40 years since President Spencer W. Kimball announced that the priesthood could be conferred on “all worthy male members of the Church” (Official Declaration 2). The announcement provided new opportunities to members of African descent throughout the world. Men could now be ordained to the priesthood, and men and women could participate in individual and family temple ordinances.

In conjunction with the First Presidency’s “Be One” event (scheduled for June 1, 2018), which will commemorate the events of June 1978, the Church History Library is pleased to present several original historic documents from black Latter-day Saint history from May 21 through August 4, 2018. The exhibit is free and open to the public during the library’s normal hours—Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

We invite all to visit the exhibit, learn more about the rich history of blacks in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and leave a personal message in the commemorative guest books. These guest books will be preserved in the library’s permanent collections as a record of this 40th anniversary celebration.

This post identifies each of the 16 items on display, providing links to digital images where available and call numbers for the Church History Catalog. It also provides links to additional information about the creators of these significant documents.

Jane Manning James was an early convert. She lived with Joseph Smith and his family in Nauvoo and became one of the first African American women to enter Utah. Learn more about Jane Manning James on history.lds.org and in the Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel database. View the photograph (PH 5962) online.

Display Case 2: Documents from the 20th and 21st Centuries

The Genesis Group, established by the First Presidency in October 1971, was created to meet the needs of African American Latter-day Saints. Ruffin Bridgeforth served as its first president. Joseph Freeman was the first black man ordained to the priesthood after the announcement in 1978. Learn more about the Genesis Group on mormonnewsroom.org. The photograph is included in the compiled history of the Genesis Group (MS 9691).

10. Obinna family conversion story (undated)

11. Anthony Obinna with Church members photograph (Nigeria, 1971)

12. Fidelia and Anthony Obinna photograph (1989)

Anthony Obinna had a dream about the temple before missionaries arrived in Nigeria. Learn more about Anthony and Fidelia Obinna on history.lds.org. View the photographs online (PH 5374). The conversion story was authored by Raymond Obinna as part of the Obinna Family Papers (MS 26912).

13. Nugent family with Church members photograph (Jamaica, 1980)

14. Victor Nugent oral history (2003)

Victor Nugent strengthened the Church in Jamaica. Learn more about Victor Nugent on history.lds.org. The photograph is part of the Caribbean Photographs collection (PH 6340), and the story was recorded in an oral history interview (OH 3193).

15. Elder Helvécio Martins general conference address (1995)

Brazilian Helvécio Martins became the first General Authority of African descent. Learn more about Elder Martins in the Ensign. Watch and read the address on LDS.org.

16. Isaac Addy conversion story (Ghana, 2011)

Isaac Addy trusted the Lord’s timing in Ghana. Learn more about Isaac Addy on LDS.org. The story is found in the Ghana Accra Mission Files, 1969–92 (LR 2011950 25); see also an oral history interview (OH 1837).

On the Featured Bookshelf

W. Kesler Jackson, Elijah Abel: The Life and Times of a Black Priesthood Holder (2013).